2021 Can Am Defender The 2021 Can-Am Defender Limited is a complement to the Cadillac Escalade. The sealed cab, power windows, automatic climate control and comfortable two-tone seats make it all too comfortable in the mud. Almost.
We were gearing up for an adventure off the coast of North Carolina, and I needed a rig that could carry camping gear, firewood, and water for a weekend along a quiet sandy trail. The Defender Limited, with its 85 horsepower Rotax Vtwin engine and 1,200 pound payload, is a smart choice.
The Defender Limited has been around since last year and is aimed at buyers who prefer off-roading in harsh climates. Think endless winters in Michigan or the scorching heat of Arizona. This is because, unlike most gadgets, the Defender Limited comes with a fully tiltable cab with wipers that protect the driver, while the windshield and side windows provide visibility.
No need to worry about fine plexiglass scratches or water ingress thanks to the weather-resistant lubricant.
2021 Can Am Defender Review
That also means the included automatic climate control can keep the cabin comfortable regardless of the weather outside. You set the desired temperature and the system will do the rest, providing the appropriate amount of air conditioning or heat.
On our initial trip, the cabin helped give the Defender Limited a more serious adult feel compared to its open air competition. Full power windows, power steering and headliner help the machine feel more like a small pickup than a tractor.
The same goes for the very comfortable two-tone chair. The bench includes a folding armrest with cupholders and storage, and the passenger seat can be folded to accommodate more cargo in the cabin.
The simple and clear gauge cluster provides all the information you need, and well-placed switches operate everything from drive mode selection to four-wheel drive and rear locker control. Speaking of driving modes, the Defender Limited offers both Work and Eco options.
Read next: 2022 Polaris RZR 200: All-New Update Polaris RZR Specs and Review
Combine the latter with two-wheel drive, and you also get a sort of grass mode with an unlocked rear differential. That’s useful for owners who are worried about tearing up pastures.
All Limited models are based on the HD10 platform, which means they come with a liquid-cooled 976cc Rotax V-twin engine that is claimed to produce 82 hp and 69 pound-feet of torque. Those are strong numbers, and help the Defender Limited gain a 2,500-pound towing capacity, but they don’t tell you how smooth and quiet the engine is, offering vibrant power and refinement.
There’s not much to brag about in the suspension department, though the Limited did come with a 65-inch curved A arm that helps give the engine a bit more ground clearance in thick terrain. The 12-inch ground clearance is more than enough to handle rock scrambles without prying the full skid plate underneath.
The limited trim gets you some other goodies on the outside, including this tester’s Mossy Oak Break-Up Country Camo bodywork and the XT’s front bumper. A 4,500-pound winch is also standard, as are 14-inch aluminum wheels and 27-inch Maxxis Bighorn tires.
2021 Can Am Defender Specs
- MSRP: $25.499
- Engine type: 976cc, SOHC, 4-stroke liquid-cooled; 4-valve/cylinder.
- Hole x Stroke: 91.0 x 75mm (x2)
- Compression ratio: 12.0:1
- Fuel Delivery: Induction iTC 54mm throttle body, 2 VDO . injectors
- Transmission: Dual-range CVT with electronic braking; L, H, N, R, P
- Drive system: Selectable Turf Mode/2WD/4WD, locking rear differential, Visco-Lok front differential
- Front Suspension: Curved double A-arms with sway blades, gas filled double tube shock absorbers; 10 entry trip
- Rear Suspension: TTA curved with sway bar, gas-filled dual tube shocks; 10 entry trip
- Front brake: Hydraulic 2 piston, disc 220mm
- Rear Brakes: Hydraulic 1 piston, 220mm . disc
- Front Tire: 27 x 9-14 Maxxis Bighorn 2.0
- Rear Tire: 27 x 11-14 Maxxis Bighorn 2.0
- W x W x H: 126.0 inches x 65.0 inches x 79.0 inches
- Position Width: 65.0 inches (width measured laterally between the outermost wheel rims on each side of the vehicle)
- Wheelbase: 83.0 inches
- Maximum Ground Clearance:
- 12.0 inch
- Fuel capacity: 10.6 ga.
- Wet Weight (as tested) 2,001 pounds.
- Bed Capacity: 1,000 pounds
- Towing capacity: 2,500 pounds
- Warranty: 1 year BRP limited warranty
Read next: 2021 Can Am Renegade 570 Review
More Reviews
- 2021 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon 392 Review
- Land Rover Discovery R-Dynamic S 2021 review
- 2022 Polaris General XP 1000 Trailhead First Ride
- 2022 Polaris Ranger SP 570 First Ride
- Choose Between 2022 Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 Premium and 2022 RZR Pro XP 4 Sport
2021 Can Am Defender Windshield
Windshield For 2021 Can Am Defender Scratch Resistant – The CanAm Defender folding windshield is made of premium impact-resistant polycarbonate only 3/16″ thick (250 times stronger than glass) with a hardwearing, scratch-resistant coating. Many other windshields are uncoated. Not as strong as Clear Made in the US , the windshield is extremely tough and marble resistant, which means it looks good for longer.
CORRECT 2-in-1 Windshield – This is a semi-legal windshield when folded. The curve of the windshield adds rigidity and diverts air around you when you are in the center position. Our fully folding windshield gives you the best of both worlds. They provide protection from wind and rain in full position, and you also have the ability to easily fold the windshield in the middle of the windshield. It’s like 2 windshields in 1! And there’s no great visibility from hardware keys, so you won’t miss a thing.
EASY TO INSTALL: The Clear Tough Defender folding windshield is precisely designed to fit the vehicle body with minimal clearance, while the bottom molding protects the body. You can attach a fully retractable windshield in minutes with our durable Velcro strap. Our patented insulation design allows you to adapt to mirrors and other accessories.
VERSATILITY FOR BETTER DRIVING: Our SxS windshield offers maximum versatility. Simply adjust the Velcro strap for a snug fit. Switch between full or half windshields in minutes. You can even move the windshield over the cross member for a mid-height windshield.
5 YEAR MATERIAL WARRANTY: Clear Tough high quality polycarbonate is guaranteed against cracking, crazing, or yellowing. Other materials may have this problem, but our high-quality polycarbonate does not. We know you’ll love your windshield, but you’ll have peace of mind knowing you’ve purchased the best quality polycarbonate available.
2021 Can Am Defender Price
Can Am Defender With an MSRP of $25,499, Defender Limited isn’t the cheapest option in side-by-side gaming utilities, but it’s probably the best-appointed. Look for the full review as soon as we head to the Atlantic for fishing and camping.
